Luis Bordón facts for kids

Luis Bordón (1926-2006) was a famous Paraguayan musician. He was a talented composer and played the Paraguayan harp like no one else.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Luis Bordón was born in Guarambaré, Paraguay, on August 19, 1926. From a very young age, he loved music. His father encouraged him to play the Paraguayan harp.

Luis quickly became amazing at playing the harp. He had a special, gentle style that many said was impossible to copy. People who heard him play were always amazed.

In the 1950s, Luis joined a folk music band led by Julián Rejala. They toured all over Paraguay and even went to Brazil. Luis was a very important musician in the group, and everyone wanted to hear him play.

Becoming a Famous Harpist

Luis Bordón was one of the best Paraguayan harp players, along with others like Félix Pérez Cardozo and Digno García. He spent a lot of his career in Brazil. In the 1970s and 1980s, he was one of the most successful artists there.

He recorded 34 albums in Brazil and won 8 gold records! He helped make the Paraguayan harp famous. He showed that the harp could play all kinds of music, not just traditional folk songs.

The harp was once called the "Indian Harp" because many local musicians played it. But Luis Bordón changed that. He used new techniques and sounds, and people started calling it the "Paraguayan harp" because of him.

Recording Success and World Tours

In 1959, Luis decided to become a solo artist. He released his first album, "Paraguayan harp in Hi Fi" (meaning "Paraguayan harp in High Quality Sound"). This album quickly became a hit around the world.

Because of its success, he released many more albums. He made 32 full-length albums, plus many smaller records. His music spread globally, and harp lovers everywhere collected his recordings.

Luis kept composing and playing the Paraguayan harp until his last days. He recorded 14 more CDs, adding to Paraguay's rich musical history. His many successful records earned him several awards, including eight gold discs.

Awards and Global Recognition

Luis Bordón received many awards for his amazing musical career. These included:

• An award from the Ministry of Public Work and Communications in Paraguay.
• An award from the Military Police of São Paulo, Brazil.
• The Gold Key to the City of Texas, United States.
• The "Semper Altima" medal from the U.S. Army's Fort Hood.

He won 18 artistic trophies in Brazil and the United States. The Governor of São Paulo even honored him for his many cultural programs. In 2001, UNESCO gave him the Orbis Guaraniticus medal. This special medal is made in Paris for important artists and cultural figures.

His albums were released in many countries, including the USA, France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Japan, Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia.

Luis lived in the United States for three years with a special visa. This visa was given to people who showed extraordinary talent. He was also a special guest of a famous Japanese airline to perform in Japan. In the Netherlands, he was invited to play his Paraguayan harp at the opening of a new TV channel.

Later, he returned to Paraguay. He continued to compose and play the harp, often performing duets with his son, Luis Bordón Junior, who played the guitar.

Later Years and Legacy

In February 2006, Luis Bordón was honored for his contributions to music. He hoped to perform a big harp concert, but sadly, he passed away on April 14, 2006, at the age of 80.

Famous Songs and Albums

See also

In Spanish: Luis Bordón para niños